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Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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Other
This episode from the podcast 99 Percent Invisible reflects on how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the American public to a long-standing problem: the disjointed nature of the U.S. health system. Because state and local health departments largely operate independently and use their own data collection and analysis tools, health systems across the country lack standardized data definitions and systems. These inconsistencies made it nearly impossible to collect and analyze comprehensive, standardized data on COVID-19 cases, deaths, and vaccines administered amid the pandemic. Health experts featured on this episode believe that the pandemic made the need for an overhaul of America’s informatics system very apparent. When rebuilding this system, it’s important to focus on remedying existing inequalities in data collection and classification that in some cases render the health status of certain populations – think Native American communities and other communities of color – completely invisible in the data. By virtue of being small populations, it can be difficult for health departments to collect sufficient and/or statistically significant data on minority communities. Another issue discussed in this episode is the use of broad racial categories like “other,” “multiple races,” or even “Asian American,” which, if not disaggregated, obscures the health status of diverse populations who are grouped under the same category. Without comprehensive and inclusive health data, it’s difficult to identify disparities and implement policies and programming that promote social mobility and health equity.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
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Peer Review Study
This article examines the association between county-level Black/white residential segregation and COVID-19 vaccination rates. Findings emphasize the need for considering interaction effects and stratified analysis when modeling disparities in COVID-19 vaccinations. Doing so can better inform policies around effective vaccine distribution and outreach.
Best Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes when implemented in multiple real-life settings, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities.
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Systematic Review/Meta-Analysis
This review of state data collection and reporting practices during the COVID-19 pandemic found inconsistencies and gaps in data collected by race and ethnicity. Improved standardization across the U.S.–which may come in the form of a federally-operated centralized database–would address some of the concerns in data representation of all Americans.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
RELEASE DATE:
Peer Review Study
This study sought to assess the correlation between population and spatial characteristics of COVID-19 by examining positive COVID-19 data from New York City with ZIP Code Tabulation Areas to determine what social determinants of health increase an individual’s risk of contracting COVID-19. Results showed that neighborhoods with larger proportions of Black people, people older than 65, people with heart disease, and people living in densely populated housing are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
RELEASE DATE:
Peer Review Study
This article examines a cohort study of children in England to determine a possible association between COVID-19 testing rates, COVID-19 mortality rates, and race. Results found that Asian and Black children experienced race-specific disparities when compared to white children, with white children receiving more COVID-19 testing, but Black and Asian children experiencing worse outcomes, including hospitalization, ICU admission, and death.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
RELEASE DATE:
Peer Review Study
This article looks at the differences in the health care setting choice for COVID-19 testing by race/ethnicity and insurance type. They found disparities in equitable access, with Black individuals more likely to get tested through emergency departments compared to White individuals. Hispanic individuals had the highest likelihood of testing at mobile testing units, and those without a primary care practitioner were more likely to go to a mobile testing unit or emergency department. The implementation of mobile care delivery models may allow for a larger reach to vulnerable populations.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
RELEASE DATE:
Peer Review Study
This study looks at survey data from the 2020 U.S. Household Pulse Survey to estimate the associations between state-specific mobility restrictions and well-being across historically excluded groups, including those groups at the intersections of race/ethnicity, sex, and income categorizations. Results found that low-income and African American populations are most likely to be affected by lockdown restrictions, including unemployment, food insufficiency, mental health problems, inaccessibility of medical care, rent or mortgage defaults, and class cancellations.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
RELEASE DATE:
Peer Review Study
This article describes the survey results of 33 Black adolescents (ages 12-17) living in Southeastern United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey illustrates stressors and barriers for these teenagers, citing financial issues, access to health care, and increased mental health strain as key issues during the pandemic. These answers could provide context for addressing issues within this population.
Best Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes when implemented in multiple real-life settings, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities.
RELEASE DATE:
Peer Review Study
This study uses COVID-19 death data by racial/ethnic group and age, along with US Census population data to explore variations in mortality risk by calculating age-specific mortality measures. The results found that minority groups such as non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native populations experience more COVID-19 mortality than White patients, but also experience more years of potential life lost due to racial/ethnic disparities.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
RELEASE DATE:
Peer Review Study
This study describes demographic characteristics and hospital bed capacities of the five New York City boroughs and evaluates whether differences in testing for COVID-19, hospitalizations, and deaths have emerged as a signal of racial, ethnic, and financial disparities. Results showed disparities among the boroughs. Bronx, with the highest proportion of racial/ethnic minorities, the most persons living in poverty, and the lowest levels of educational attainment, had higher rates of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 than the other boroughs.